Educational Media Reviews Online

Many nature documentaries examine the effects humanity has had on our planet and other species. Still other films detail the ways conservationists and activists are working to mitigate those effects and repair our ecosystem. The Nature Makers goes a step further and looks at how three groups of conservationists are using the very technology that has destroyed our landscape to save three animal species we have put in the path of extinction.

Scott Saunders takes us on a journey across the United States to see self-proclaimed “extreme conservationists” use tractors, helicopters, barrels, and an array of other modern machinery to help reshape the landscape to how it appeared before humans arrived. The film is split into three segments, each focusing on a population of a species in the sky, in water, or on land.

First, we meet the people creating forest fires and knocking down trees in Platte River Valley land in Nebraska, hoping to restore the land to best serve the sandhill cranes migrating in the area. The conservationists explain how the land has been altered by dams and the growth of non-native trees. Next, we visit the Grand Canyon as we observe the team working to move a population of humpback chub to other streams in the region in an effort to create new populations. The team resorts to lowering barrels of humpback fish 150 feet from a helicopter and diligently pouring stream water into those barrels to stabilize the temperature of the water before setting the fish free. Finally, we visit the Great Plains and watch as exhausted workers force prairie dogs from their homes with water or metal traps, create new burrows for them in another area and eventually release them to the artificial burrows. We learn about the advanced language prairie dogs have and the persecution they have faced over the years as they've been exterminated by developers and the government. Conservationists bluntly state the fact that if they do not work as quickly as they can these prairie dogs will be poisoned or bulldozed.

This rather short film has a very important message. As Scott Saunders says in his closing quote, the conservationists “know it might not work out for these animals, yet they keep at it, despite the setbacks, and that makes them heroes.” This documentary asks viewers to help these brave people in whatever way they can. We are inspired knowing that although we have had such a horrendous impact on our environment, it is possible to go to extremes to reverse our effect. This film is appropriate for libraries serving children and adults. Frequently documentaries dealing with issues of conservatism and activism have subject matter that is too violent or controversial for young viewers. However, in general this is an optimistic film, and presents us with a wonderful learning opportunity for raising future conservationists.

Awards:

Best Feature, Colorado Environmental Film Festival 2020; Official Selection: Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Sonoma International Film Festival 2020, Wild and Scenic Film Festival, Flagstaff Mountain Film Festival

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